God is good, so thank him
118:1The writer wants people join him and praise God together. He thanks God that he has given his people power to win against their enemies.
1 Thank the Lord, because he is good.
His faithful love will always be with us.
2 Israel's people must now say,
‘His faithful love will always be with us.’
3 Aaron's family, the priests, must now say,
‘His faithful love will always be with us.’
4 Everyone who serves the Lord must now say,
‘His faithful love will always be with us.’
5 I was very upset,
so I called to the Lord to help me.
The Lord answered me.
He made me free from my trouble.
6 The Lord is here to help me,
so I will not be afraid.
Nobody can do anything to hurt me!
7 The Lord is with me as my helper.
As for those people who hate me,
they will fall down as I watch them.
8 It is better to go to the Lord to keep you safe,
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to trust the Lord to keep you safe,
than to trust leaders to protect you.
10 All the nations were ready to attack me.
I used the Lord's authority to send them away.
11 Yes, they were all around me, ready to attack me.
I used the Lord's authority to send them away.
12 They were all around me like a crowd of bees!
But they soon disappeared,
like a fire in a thorn bush.
Yes, I used the Lord's authority to send them away.
13 My enemies attacked me
and they tried to knock me down!
But the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord makes me strong
and he takes care of me.
He is the one who keeps me safe.
15 Listen to the happy shouts of God's people in their tents!
They have won against their enemies,
because the Lord has power to do great things.
16 Yes, the Lord has lifted up his strong right hand.
He has the strength to win the battle!
17 I will not die. Instead, I will live.
I will tell everyone what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has punished me very much,
but he has not let me die.
19 Open the gates of the temple!
I will go in there,
and I will thank the Lord.
20 This is the Lord's gate.
Righteous people can go in through it.
21 I will thank you, Lord,
because you answered my prayer.
You have rescued me.
22 The builders refused to use a certain stone.
But now that stone has become the most important stone
at the corner of the building.
23 The Lord has done this,
and we can see that it is wonderful!
24 This is the day that the Lord has done a great thing.
We will be very happy today!
25 Lord, please save us now!
Lord, please help us to have success!
26 May the Lord bless the man who comes with his authority!
We praise you from here,
in the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is truly God.
He has caused his light to shine on us.
Enjoy a happy festival!
Take branches in your hands,
and offer a sacrifice on the altar.
28 You are my God,
and I will thank you.
You are my God,
and I will say how great you are.
29 Thank the Lord, because he is good.
His faithful love will always be with us.
